I’ve sung the praises of Jim and Carol McLatchie for years. They’ve touched most of you and you don’t even know it. Jim’s coaching has trickled down through me to many Nebraskans. I however don’t pretend to assume any credit for his brilliance. I was just the first conduit.
Minutes on, minutes off. It all starts there and anyone can do it. Well, not everyone. You have to be a Real Runner. Willing to be utterly Honest. Willing to accept current fitness levels over idealized or past performances. Starting there. Willing to push the boundaries. Slowly and measured.
These rascals that are “selling” his program as their own, tsk, tsk, tsk. I know better and now you do to.
Regular readers know his program has developed Olympians and World Champs caliber athletes. And again, if you are really Honest it can develop you too. I used the program with Kaci Lickteig and Dylan Wilson when they both ran 17 minute personal bests at the Lincoln Marathon several years ago. They’re just the tip of the iceberg as dozens of Nebraska runners have enjoyed varying degrees of success under the Master’s plan. The more Honest, the more success.
But none so much as Matthew Maton.
But first, The Summit Storm High School (Bend, OR) boys won their 4th consecutive State Cross Country title under Jim. His wife Carol guided the Summit girl’s team to their 7th consecutive state title. Chew on that a bit.
Back to Matt. You’ve never heard of him, but ah, you will. Jim’s star athlete won his 2nd consecutive individual state title. In style. Like this: Touring the Lane Community College course in a record 14:45. Besting the runner up by nearly a minute. Big deal? Yep! Here’s why- Maton’s mark wiped clean the previous record of 14:55 set in 2003 by Galen Rupp.
Now get out there and get a good mile and a half warm up. Go one minute at 5K pace, one minute easy, times 5. After number 5, jog easy for 5 minutes, then repeat one minute at 5k pace, one minute easy times 5. Be Honest with yourself. And know that you are following in the footsteps of Greatness. And recognize Jim McLatchie as the architect. Not me, not he, not she, not any other.
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